| So you've got the perfect little log cabin, | | | | to put a box spring in those beds, but you |
| or chalet by the lake, or just want a country | | | | certainly can. |
| touch to your home. You want a log bunk bed, | | | | |
| or two, but don't know where to start. And | | | | The other alternative to hold the mattress up |
| they don't carry them in your downtown | | | | is called a Bunkie board. A Bunkie board is |
| furniture store. | | | | basically ¾ inch plywood cut to the size |
| | | | of the box spring. It sits inside either the |
| Not to worry, there are plenty of options | | | | metal bed frame, or the wood bed frame, and |
| available on the Internet. There are loft log | | | | supports the mattress. If you have a box |
| bunk beds, twin over twin log bunk beds, full | | | | spring you don't need a Bunkie board, but if |
| over full or even twin over queen. I haven't | | | | there is not a box spring, the Bunkie board |
| seen a twin over king yet, but really the | | | | is what supports the middle of the mattress. |
| Amish can make any size you want. A lot of | | | | We sell Bunkie boards if people want them, |
| college students who looking to build an | | | | but a lot of people just cut their own. It's |
| inexpensive loft bed might find an Amish loft | | | | up to the buyer. |
| bunk bed to be just the ticket, and some of | | | | |
| them come with futons under them, too. | | | | Another option to consider is the type of |
| | | | ladder you want with your log bunk bed. Some |
| There are federal regulations regarding bunk | | | | of the Amish beds have the ladders built |
| beds, so you'll want to make sure that | | | | right into the end of the bed, so you don't |
| whatever bed you choose meets the | | | | have a ladder leaning out from the bed. |
| regulations. We're talking safety here, and | | | | Others have a moveable ladder that can hook |
| things do happen. But you certainly wouldn't | | | | on the end or the side. In many cases, the |
| want a bed that doesn't meet the regulations, | | | | amount of space available determines the type |
| so make sure that the one you buy, does. | | | | of bunk bed you buy. If you have a small |
| Most accidents with bunk beds happen to | | | | room, the larger cedar logs may seem too |
| children under the age of three. Many of | | | | massive. If you don't have room for a slanted |
| these accidents can be avoided by having | | | | ladder, however, you may opt for the cedar |
| safety rails on both sides of the top bed. | | | | bunk bed anyway that has the ladder built in. |
| If one side of the bed is against the wall, | | | | If you have a larger room or larger people, |
| that can be sufficient--but it must be | | | | you may opt for the larger cedar logs. |
| against the wall. There are also regulations | | | | |
| regarding headboards. There is a link to a | | | | If you get a pine bunk bed with metal frame, |
| page with the regulations at the bottom of | | | | there is a way to give the metal frame that |
| this article for those who wish to read | | | | log look when the covers are thrown back. |
| further. | | | | These are decorative half logs or rails, not |
| | | | to be confused with the safety rails that go |
| Bunk beds built to those regulations are | | | | around the top of the bunk bed. The top |
| generally built to hold an adult weighing up | | | | safety rails are always included with the log |
| to 250 pounds. If you are pushing the limits, | | | | bunk bed, but the decorative half rails are |
| try cedar instead of pine. In the beds we | | | | optional and just for looks. |
| sell, the cedar logs are 5 ½ to 6 inches | | | | |
| in diameter, while the pine is about 3 ½ | | | | Last but not least, be sure to measure before |
| inches in diameter. They are both built to | | | | you buy. Last year we sold a couple of log |
| federal specifications, and the pine bunk | | | | bunk beds to somebody in Montana. They |
| beds are very solid and strong, but if there | | | | absolutely loved the beds, but had bought two |
| is a question in your mind, go for the bigger | | | | for the room and soon found out that only one |
| logs. And of course, you can always put the | | | | could comfortably fit. Since we are in |
| big fella on the bottom, too. | | | | Michigan and they in Montana, it would have |
| | | | cost quite a bit to ship it back. They ended |
| Some log bunk beds come with a metal frame to | | | | up selling the extra bed on ebay, but the |
| hold the mattress, but some of the Amish | | | | problem could have been avoided with a bit of |
| build them with a wood frame to hold both the | | | | careful measuring up front. |
| box spring and the mattress. You don't have | | | | |